U.S. patent number 5,423,422 [Application Number 08/209,457] was granted by the patent office on 1995-06-13 for flat panel display container.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Empak, Inc.. Invention is credited to William A. J. Boire, Sidney A. Higgins, Thomas Oesterle.
United States Patent |
5,423,422 |
Boire , et al. |
June 13, 1995 |
Flat panel display container
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus for packaging, storage and
transportation of flat panel displays. The apparatus has a base
which receives a removable base cushion and two removable side
cushions. Each cushion has a plurality of ribs defining a flat
panel display receiving members. The side cushions are designed to
accommodate a variety of flat panel display sizes. A cover mates
with the base and further secures the flat panel displays within
the flat panel display receiving members of the removable base and
side cushions.
Inventors: |
Boire; William A. J.
(Chanhassen, MN), Oesterle; Thomas (Colorado Springs,
CO), Higgins; Sidney A. (Maple Grove, MN) |
Assignee: |
Empak, Inc. (Chanhassen,
MN)
|
Family
ID: |
22778825 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/209,457 |
Filed: |
March 14, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/723; 206/454;
211/41.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
25/107 (20130101); B65D 85/48 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
85/48 (20060101); B65D 25/10 (20060101); B65D
085/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/454,455,456,334,449
;211/41 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gehman; Bryon P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Haugen and Nikolai
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for packaging, storage and transportation of flat
panel displays, said apparatus comprising:
(a) a base having four integral walls extending from a bottom
surface, said four integral walls having a first interior surface
with a plurality of first cushion receiving slots and a second
interior surface with a plurality of second cushion receiving
slots;
(b) a removable base cushion located in said base, said removable
base cushion having a plurality of first flat panel display
receiving members;
(c) a first removable side cushion located in said base having a
plurality of second flat panel display receiving members said first
removable side cushion configured to selectively mate with one of
said first cushion receiving slots and with one of said second
cushion receiving slots;
(d) a second removable side cushion located in said base having a
plurality of third flat panel display receiving members, said
second removable side cushion configured to selectively mate with
one of said first cushion receiving slots and with one of said
second cushion receiving slots whereby said first and second
removable cushion selectively accommodate flat panel displays of
varying size; and
(e) a cover for mating with said base.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including
(a) a plurality of first ridges on each said first flat panel
receiving member;
(b) a plurality of second ridges on each said second flat panel
receiving member; and
(c) a plurality of third ridges on each said third flat panel
receiving member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base cushion has an
arcuate profile having a first convex section, a second convex
section and a center arch section disposed therebetween.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of second flat
panel display receiving members has an arcuate profile with at
least one convex portion and at least one concave portion.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of third flat
panel display receiving members has an arcuate profile with at
least one convex portion and at least one concave portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including said base cushion
having extending tabs for engaging posts located in said base.
7. An apparatus for packaging, storage and transportation of flat
panel displays, said apparatus comprising:
(a) a base configured for robotic handling, having four integral
walls extending from a bottom surface, said four integral walls
having a first interior surface with a plurality of first cushion
receiving slots and a second interior surface with a plurality of
second cushion receiving slots, a first exterior surface having a
plurality of first vertical support members protruding from said
first exterior surface, a second exterior surface opposite said
first exterior surface having a plurality of second vertical
support members, a third exterior surface having a first indented
area and a fourth exterior surface located opposite said third
exterior surface, said fourth exterior surface having a second
indented area, a first ledge surrounding said first, second, third
and fourth exterior surfaces, said first ledge configured for
mating with a cover of said apparatus and a second ledge
surrounding said first, second, third and fourth exterior
surfaces;
(b) a removable base cushion located in said base, said removable
base cushion having a plurality of first flat panel display
receiving members;
(c) a first removable side cushion located in said base having a
plurality of second flat panel display receiving members, and said
first removable cushion having a first securing means for
selectively mating with one of said first cushion receiving slots
and a second securing means for mating with one of said second
receiving slots;
(d) a second removable side cushion located in said base having a
plurality of third flat panel display receiving members, and said
second removable cushion having a third securing means for
selectively mating with one of said first cushion receiving slots
and a fourth securing means for mating with one of said second
cushion receiving slots.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said base cushion has an
arcuate profile having a first convex section, a second convex
section and a center arch section disposed therebetween.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 and further including
(a) a plurality of first ridges on said first flat panel receiving
members;
(b) a plurality of second ridges on said second flat panel
receiving members; and
(c) a plurality of third ridges on said third flat panel receiving
members.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said plurality of second flat
panel display receiving members has an arcuate profile with at
least one convex portion and at least one concave portion, said
second ridges extending on either side of said second flat panel
display receiving members.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said plurality of third flat
panel display receiving members has an arcuate profile with at
least one convex portion and at least one concave portion, said
third ribs extending on either side of said third flat panel
display receiving members.
12. The apparatus of claim 7 and further including said base
cushion having extending tab members for engaging protruding posts
located in said base.
13. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first securing means is a
first elongated bead on a first side of said first removable side
cushion and said second securing means is a second elongated bead
on a second side of said first removable cushion, said second
elongated bead is offset from said first elongated bead.
14. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said third securing means is a
third elongated bead on a first side of said second removable side
cushion and said fourth securing means is a fourth elongated bead
on a second side of said second removable cushion, said fourth
elongated bead is offset from said third elongated bead.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a container for receiving a number of
flat panel displays and independently supporting the displays for
storage and transportation of the flat panel displays. More
particularly, this invention relates to a container assembly having
display supporting cushion members which are flexible and may be
selectively positioned to accommodate displays of differing
sizes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Increasingly, manufacturers of electronic equipment are using flat
panel displays as the substitute for cathode ray tubes. Such flat
panel displays comprise a panel of glass or other similar material
having numerous coatings deposited thereon. The coatings which are
widely divergent in nature act together to produce the images to be
displayed. The manufacturing process used to make flat panel
displays requires both high heat and the use of strong chemicals.
Further, some of the coatings applied to the glass substrate are
extremely thin. It is vitally important to avoid contact with
anything which could scratch the coatings.
Various containers have been designed to receive and support flat
panel displays. Such carriers are, for example, shown and described
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,601 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,634. However,
such containers do not adequately support the flat panel displays
in an independent fashion. Further, the support elements used in
such containers are not readily adjustable to store flat panel
displays of a different size.
As a result, there still exists a need for a storage container for
flat panel displays which can properly support flat panel displays
of differing lengths. The present invention meets this need by
providing such a storage container containing selectively
adjustable flat panel display support cushions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a base containing cushions for
supporting the flat panel displays and is configured for robotic
handling of the flat panel displays. The base and its cover are
made from a hard plastic material and are configured for robotic
handling. A bottom support cushion is positioned in the bottom of
the base. A pair of side support cushions between which the flat
panel displays are inserted are adjustably mounted in opposing
relationship on the side walls of the base. The side support
cushions contain a plurality of flat panel display receiving
members for engaging the edges of the flat panel displays. The
cover includes indented areas which cooperate with the side and
base support cushions of the base to securely position the flat
panel displays for storage and transportation.
The side cushions contain beads on each side edge for mating with
slots located on the interior surface of the base. The beads are
offset from one another. Each bead is adapted to be received in one
of three slots on a interior surface wall of the base. This allows
the user to insert the cushions to accommodate flat panel displays
of different sizes. To further accommodate various sizes, each flat
panel display receiving members of both the side and the bottom
cushions has an arcuate wall with a plurality of various sized
ridges. This further allows the cushions to accommodate various
sizes of flat panel displays.
A principal object of the present invention is to provide a strong,
rigid carrier for flat panel displays.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a carrier having
a base and a cover and further having a bottom support cushion and
two side support cushions which cooperate with indentations on the
cover to snugly support the flat panel displays in a secure
position.
A further object of the invention is to provide a flat panel
display storage and transporting carrier which can accommodate flat
panel displays of different sizes.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
design which provides accurate indexing for robotic handling.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings
provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the flat panel display package
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the base containing
the support cushions of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base containing the support
cushions of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the base containing the support
cushions of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional end view of the base containing
cushions of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the base of the present
invention with exterior features of the base shown in hidden
line;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view with the base of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a side support cushion of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the side support cushion of the
present invention taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the side support cushion of
the present invention taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bottom support cushion of the
present invention;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of one end of the bottom support cushion
of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a end view of the bottom support cushion of the present
invention;
FIG. 14 is a cross sectional side view of the base cushion of the
present invention taken along line 14--14 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 15 is a side view of the cover of the present invention;
and
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the cover of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is a container for storing and transporting
flat panel displays and is designated generally 10 in FIG. 1. The
container 10 of the present invention is configured for robotic
handling and includes a base 12 and a cover 14 containing two
adjustable and flexible side support cushions 16 and 18 and a
flexible bottom support cushion 20. The flat panel displays are
received in slots of the adjustable side support cushions 16 and 18
and the base support cushions 20 as will be described in further
detail. The cover 12 contains indentations to retain the flat panel
displays within the slots of the base support cushion 20 and the
slots of the side support cushions 16 and 18.
Turning now to FIGS. 1-5, the base which contains the side and base
support cushions will be described in greater detail. The base 12
comprises an integrally formed outer shell 24 made of a sturdy,
rigid plastic. Many suitable plastic materials are available. The
material chosen should be able to withstand harsh chemicals and
high temperatures without deforming. Such materials include
polycarbonate or olefinic plastics. The outer shell 24 has a front
wall 26, a back wall 28, a pair of end walls 30 and 32, a base
floor 34, an open top 36 and six base support members 38, 40, 42,
44, 46 and 48. As stated earlier, the container is configured for
robotic handling. To permit robotic insertion and removal of
displays from the base 12, the front and back walls 26 and 28
include two cut-out areas 50 and 52 near the open top 52. Cutout
area 50 consists of two opposing sloped edges 54 and 56 terminating
in a edge 58 parallel to the floor 34. Likewise, cutout area 52 is
defined by two opposing sloped edges 60 and 62 and an edge 64
parallel to the floor 34. Robotic tools are able to access the
sides of the flat panel displays stored within the package 10
through the cut-out areas 50 and 52.
Two support ledges 66 and 68 are located on the base 12. Situated
just beneath the cut-out areas 50 and 52 is the support ledge 66
which completely surrounds the base 12. The support ledge 66 serves
as a stop for the cover 14. A second support ledge 68, which also
surrounds the base 12 is located near the bottom. Both support
ledges 66 and 68 provides robotic tool gripping surfaces. As shown,
the ledges 66 and 68 are in a spaced apart parallel relationship to
each other and completely surround the front wall 24, the back wall
28 and two end walls 30 and 32 of the base 12. Each end wall, 30
and 32, has a central area designated 70 and 72 respectively, which
is recessed from the ends of the front and back walls 26 and 28.
This arrangement permits easier gripping of ledges 60 and 62 by
robotic tools.
The front wall 26 includes four vertical, parallel outer support
members 74, 76, 78 and 80 which extend between the support ledges
66 and 68. These support members 74, 76, 78 and 80 provide support
to the container and also provide gripping surfaces for robotic
tools. The back wall has four identical vertical parallel outer
support members 82, 84, 86 and 88, which are shown in hidden line
on FIG. 6.
The interior surfaces of the base 12 are generally planar. The
floor 34 is recessed in six areas which form the six support
members 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 of the container. Projecting
upwardly from the recesses situated near the base corners are four
posts 90, 92, 94 and 96 to which the bottom support cushion 20 is
secured.
The interior of front wall 26 contains three parallel vertically
oriented slots 98, 100 and 102 on a first side of the interior
surface and a second set of three parallel vertically oriented
slots 104, 106 and 108 on the opposing side of the interior
surface. These slots extend between the upper surface of the floor
34 and the upper portion of wall 26 adjacent the cut-out area 52.
Likewise, wall 28 has a first set of three slots 110, 112 and 114.
They are aligned with slots 98, 100 and 102 of wall 26. A second
set of slots 116, 118 and 120 located on wall 28 are aligned with
and opposing corresponding slots 104, 106 and 108 on wall 26. These
slots are used for securing the side cushions as will be explained
later.
Turning now to FIGS. 11-14, the bottom support cushion 20 will now
be described. Bottom support cushion 20 is preferably integrally
formed of an elastomeric material. The bottom support cushion 20
has a main body 122 and an arcuate profile as shown in FIG. 14.
Projecting outwardly from each corner of main body 122 are tabs
124, 126, 128 and 130. At the ends of each tab are post receiving
members 132, 134, 136 and 138. These post receiving members have
holes sized and positioned to mate with one of the posts 90, 92, 94
and 96 which project upwardly from four of the six support members
of base 12.
The main body 122 has a smooth bottom surface 144 and a top surface
146 characterized by a plurality of display receiving members. One
such display receiving member is designated as 148. Between each
member 148 are side wall members shown as 150 and 152. At the base
of each member is support wall 154. The support wall 154 contains
ridges of varying sizes, and designated generally as 155. These
ridges allow flat panel displays of varying sizes to be retained in
the package.
FIG. 14 is a cross section through bottom support cushion 20. As
shown, the main body 122 has an arcuate profile and is divided into
an arched center section 156 and convex outer sections 158 and 160.
The outer sections 158 and 160 bow outwardly when in the relaxed
position. When displays are inserted into the display receiving
members 148, the outer sections 158 and 160 are pushed downwardly.
The center section 156 acts as a firm, but not rigid, stop and
allows the outer sections 158 and 160 to spread laterally as they
are pushed downwardly. This arrangement provides a secure
supporting arrangement for the flat panel displays and prevents the
flat panel displays from slipping into adjacent panel receiving
members.
The side support cushions 16 and 18 are identical in construction.
Like the bottom cushion 20, the side support cushions 16 and 18 are
made of an elastomeric material for resilient flexible support. The
side support members 16 and 18 each have a series of rectangular
shaped wall members, one of which is designated as 162 separated
from each other by a wall one of which is designated as 164. Wall
supports 169a-c are spaced apart the wall's length. The wall 164 is
arcuate in shape, with convex areas, such as at 161, and concave
areas, such as at 163, as shown in FIG. 9. A convex area of wall
164 is indicated as 164a in FIG. 8. A plurality of ridges
designated generally as 165 and 167 which project outwardly in
either direction from wall 164. The ridges vary in size, in a
manner similar to the ridges 155 located on the bottom cushion. As
shown, the wall 164 in cooperation with the wall members 162 create
a set of flat panel display receiving members opening to a first
side, one is shown as 172, and a set of flat panel display
receiving members opening to a second side, one is shown as 172, of
each of the side support cushions 16 and 18.
Each side support cushion 16 and 18 includes an elongated bead 174
projection from one end and an elongated bead 176 projection from
the other end. The beads 174 and 176 run parallel along the length
of the cushion and are offset from each other as shown in FIGS. 2,
3, 8 and 10. Thus, bead 174 is closer to the first side 175 of the
support cushion and the other bead 176 is closer to the second side
177. The beads 174 and 176, as shown in FIG. 3 are shaped to mate
with any of the slots 98, 100, 102 or 110, 112 and 114 located in
the base 12 to hold the side support cushions in the desired
position. This permits the spacing between the two side support
members to be adjusted to accommodate flat panel displays of
different lengths. Additionally, the arrangement shown in the
drawings can accommodate flat panel displays of ten different
lengths by using different slots 98-120, and by flipping the side
support members 16 and 18.
Turning now to FIGS. 15-17, cover 14 will now be described. Cover
14 is integrally formed of a rigid plastic. Many suitable materials
are available. The material chosen should be able to withstand
harsh chemicals or high temperatures without deforming. Such
materials include polycarbonate or olefinic plastics. Cover 14
comprises a front wall 176 and an identical rear wall 178. Side
walls 180 and 182 have a recessed planar area formed by panel
members 184 and 186. The corners between the panel members 170 and
172 and the adjoining ends of the front wall 176 and rear wall 178
are rounded. The cover further has a pair of indentations 188 and
190.
Cover 14 also includes an intermediate member 192 which is
positioned between indentations 188 and 190. When the cover is in
place on the base, indentations 188 and 190 retain the flat panel
displays within the notches 114 of the bottom support cushion 20
and the slots 150 of the side support cushions 16 and 18.
The cover includes a ledge 188 which projects outwardly from the
bottom of the front wall 160, the rear wall 162 and two side walls
164 and 168. Projecting downwardly from ledge 188 is a lip 190. The
cover is dimensioned so that when it is placed onto the base the
bottom of ledge 188 contacts the top surface of ledge 60 of the
base and the lip 190 projects downwardly over the ledge 60. This
arrangement ensures full closure of the top of the base and the
cut-out areas 50 and 52. An airtight seal is preferably formed when
the cover and base are secured together.
MODE OF OPERATION
The operation of the flat panel display package 10 will now be
described. The three support cushions 16, 18 and 20 are first
inserted into the base 12. The base support cushion 20 is first
positioned so that the body portion 132 rests on the floor 34 and
the tabs 124, 126, 128 and 130 extend down into the recesses of the
floor forming the base support members 38, 40, 42 and 44. Each tab
receiving member 132, 134, 136 and 138 mates with the respective
posts 90, 92, 94 and 96 projecting upwardly from the recess of
floor 34. Once the base support cushion 20 is secured, the side
support cushions 16 and 18 may be inserted.
Prior to inserting each side support cushion 16 and 18, the user
must determine which slots 98-120 of the interior surface will be
used and which side of the side support cushion will be used for
engaging the flat display panel. This determination depends on the
size of the flat panel displays. Once that is determined the beads
174 and 176 are inserted into the proper slot on the interior
surfaces.
The flat panel displays may now be placed into the container. The
base support cushion 20 receives the lower edge of the flat panel
display with the notches and the side support cushions receive the
side edges within the notches. Once all the flat panel displays are
inserted into the base 12, the cover 14 may be placed on. The rails
of the cover retain the flat panel displays within the notches of
the base support cushion 20. Also, the outer sections 124 and 126
of the base support cushion 20 spread laterally as the cover
presses down onto the flat panel displays.
It is to be understood that the above disclosure of the presently
preferred embodiment of the invention is to be taken as
illustrative of the invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood
that those of skill in the art be capable of making modifications
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *